Definition and prevalence
The term “conflict-related sexual violence†refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict. The term also encompasses trafficking in persons when committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence or exploitation.
A consistent concern is that fear and cultural stigma converge to prevent the vast majority of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence from coming forward to report such violence. Practitioners in the field estimate that for each rape reported in connection with a conflict, 10 to 20 cases go undocumented.
Sexual violence against children is one of the six grave violations identified and condemned by the United Nations Security Council, forming part of its framework to monitor and respond to abuses in armed conflict.
In contemporary conflicts, sexual violence has become increasingly prevalent, often occurring in environments where the rule of law has collapsed. It is frequently used deliberately as a tactic of war to terrorize communities, force displacement, or assert control over populations.
Both girls and boys are affected, although their experiences are often underreported or misunderstood. In some contexts, harmful practices exploit children systematically, reflecting the breakdown of institutions meant to protect them.
Lasting scars and the pursuit of justice
The impacts of sexual violence on children are devastating and long-lasting. Survivors often suffer severe psychological trauma, along with physical health consequences such as sexually transmitted infections and early pregnancies.
Social stigma compounds these harms, particularly for girls associated with armed groups, making reintegration into their communities extremely difficult. Young mothers and children born of rape face heightened vulnerability to exploitation, including trafficking and forced labor.
Consequences and legal accountability
International law clearly prohibits sexual violence against children. Such acts constitute serious human rights violations and may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Security Council resolution 1882 (2009) recognizes sexual violence against children as a priority concern and calls for concrete action plans to address it. It also serves as a trigger for listing perpetrators, reinforcing accountability mechanisms and strengthening global efforts to protect children in situations of armed conflict.
